René Jules Lalique [NM]
Cygnes et chaine tuyau de gaz [Swans and gas pipe chain], ca.1898-1900.
Indian ink, gouache on BFK-Rives vegetable parchment paper
11 x 8.7 inches

An important swan pendant and chain design of shaped asymmetrical triangular form depicting a pair of swans on a still lake, their images reflected in the lower portion of the pendant, the lake edged by water rushes. Below, the edges and central border decorated in detailed lily pad and webbed foot design with surround continuing up to an arched, feathered swan neck and black-beaked head. The whole pendant from herringbone chain. suggested details incorporating stylized lily-pad segments alternating with link-chain, below and to the right of the primary design.

The swan, with its grace and gliding movement, its curved neck transformation from ugly cygnet to elegant beauty, was a motif that appealed strongly to Art Nouveau jewelers. Rene Lalique designed several similar swan pendants. “Pendentif Cygnes” (ca.1898-1900) is recorded to have been in the collection of the wife of Edward VII, Queen Alexandra of Great Britain in 1902. This was included at the Agnew & Sons Gallery exhibition, Works of Rene Lalique, in London, 1905, in a section devoted to the Gulbenkian jewels.

EXHIBITIONS:
2022 Salmagundi New York NY Lalique and Mucha : drawing inspiration March 1 – April 30.
2008-2009 Cleveland Museum of Art Cleveland OH Artistic luxury : Fabergé-Tiffany Lalique [traveling show] October 19, 2008 – January 18, 2009; Legion of Honor San Francisco CA February 7 – May 31, 2009.
1997 Galerie Moderne London England Rene Lalique jewelry designs October 30 – December 19 #109.

REFERENCES:
– The art of Rene Lalique : pages from the book of truth by Gallery Moderne, 2020, page 43-44, #22, illustrated : color on page 44.

Not for Sale